Where to buy Cheap Throw Pillows (under $12 each)!

When it comes to accessorizing your home, throw pillows can be the most versatile and easiest way to change up a room. Throw pillows can transform a room for a holiday, make a not so comfortable couch very comfortable, or be that finishing touch to a made bed. They add texture, dimension, color, and personality.

They can also cost a fortune.

I don't know about most of you, but spending $30 - $50 on a single pillow is not how I want to spend my decor budget. As much as I love the handmade products I can get on Etsy, accessorizing both of my living room couches with handmade throw pillows or pillow covers is not in my budget. And if you are going to ask me why I don't just make them myself, well, it's because I (shamefully) do not know how to use a sewing machine. I've kicked myself many a times for not paying attention in my junior high sewing class. One of these days though, I'm going to learn...

It wasn't until a year or so ago that I discovered a section at Hobby Lobby that I never knew existed before. I have been shopping at Hobby Lobby for close to 12 years and never realized before there was a section of pre-made pillow covers and pillow inserts. I never knew it was there because it's over by the fabric and sewing supplies. Of course I never ventured into that department, I don't know how to sew so I had no need to go there!

I have a love/hate relationship with Hobby Lobby. I love them when the item I want is on sale, and I hate them when I go back the following week for a similar item or the same one, and it's no longer on sale. Why can't everything be "on sale" all of the time? And why can't they be open on Sunday! (I know why they are not open on Sunday...I just wish they would have shortened hours or something.)

Hobby Lobby carries a decent selection of pillow inserts with the most common size insert, 18"x18" costing $9.99. The covers to go over those inserts cost between $7.99 - $14.99. HOWEVER, if you shop for them when they are on sale, your total cost could end up being less than $12 per pillow! For instance, this week pillow covers are 50% off and pillow inserts are 30% off - so your final cost for an 18"x18" throw pillow with a cover that normally cost $9.99 is only $11.99! That is a steal for a throw pillow (when you can't make them yourself)! If you missed the sale this week, don't worry, Hobby Lobby is notorious for running the same sales several times within a month.

If you are wondering about quality, let me tell you that these pillows end up being fluffier and last longer than the pillow that cost 2 - 3x as much. The covers above have a zipper closer and I even stuffed a 20"x20" pillow insert into the numbered pillow cover and the zipper gave me no trouble at all.

The best part about spending so little on throw pillows is that when you get sick of the style, you won't feel too bad for changing it out. I'm pretty sure that the trendy chevron stripe pillow will not be there more than a few months. I tend to get sick of the trends pretty quick - and chevron seems to be on the way out.

Not spending a fortune on all of the pillows you need to accessorize your couches will leave a little wiggle room for that one pillow that caught your eye and you just had to have. That pillow for me happens to be a handmade Minnesota pillow from Adourn in Chatfield, MN. In the short 5 months we have lived in Minnesota, I am already bursting with Minnesota love and pride. :)

And don't worry your head about being matchy-matchy when it comes to your throw pillows. There is no rule that states that all of your pillows have to match. It's a personal preference and I say do what makes you happy and comfortable. For me, I prefer to use color schemes and I also like to keep things neutral. But I don't feel the need to use the same pillows on each side. On our big couch I have the chevron stripe pillow on one side, and the Minnesota pillow on the other side.

If you have been holding off on buying throw pillows because of the cost make a trip to Hobby Lobby, or even shop HobbyLobby.com and you'll see their decent selection of pillow inserts and pillow covers! Try to shop when they are on sale and you will pay under $12 each!

Update: I can't believe I forgot to mention the weekly 40% off coupon that you can also use when the pillows and pillow covers are not on sale. You are limited to one coupon per visit so if you plan on getting more than one item, take someone along and have them checkout separate. The coupon can be found in the Sunday paper, or on the (free) Hobby Lobby app. - Thanks, gurian6 for the reminder!

How do you save on throw pillows? Do you hold off on buying them because of the cost?